Aviva Equity Release Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the CML and PI insurers. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system is the only way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with alerts on Aviva Equity Release’s changes. While using the software is not a condition for acceptance on the Aviva Equity Release panel, demonstrating you can stay up to date with Aviva Equity Release’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your panel application and, just as importantly, safeguard your firm’s panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor creates real-time alerts, automatically produces compliance and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to a PII saving.

Find a Law Firm approved by Aviva Equity Release

Mortgage companies often change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Aviva Equity Release are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, over time:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Aviva Equity Release has made 98 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 27.9 days. In total, 20% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Aviva Equity Release have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
3.1.6 01/12/2014 CML
verification of identity
6.14.2 01/12/2014 CML
requirement that all insurance risks are included
6.14.4 01/12/2014 CML
sending a copy of the buildings insurance policy and last premium
3.1.4 28/03/2011 CML
details of the seller's solicitors or licensed conveyancers
5.15.2b 28/03/2011 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing : Management Company
Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd approved lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : requirement as to whether a copy of the management company share certificate needs to be sent to them
5.7.1a 28/03/2011 CML
Flying Freeholds
Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd approved lawyers clarification as to whether they lend on flying freeholds
Flying Freehold Indemnity Insurance
16.3.7a 01/12/2010 CML
Transfer of Equity
Contact details at Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd for conveyancing panel lawyers for obtaining execution of transfer equity
17.2.1b 01/12/2010 CML
Evidence of Discharge of Mortgage
Do Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd send the discharge via a DS 1 form or direct with the Land Registry?
5.5.1b 01/12/2010 CML
conveyancing requirements in terms of time for building regulation consents
6.6.1 17/02/2010 CML
contact point if property is let/to be let and to check lender requirements on buy-to-let

Last update 23/09/2019

Frequently asked questions relating to the Aviva Equity Release Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

I am expecting a offer of a mortgage from Aviva Equity Release. my intention is to instruct a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Aviva Equity Release Conveyancing panel allow for conveyancers regulated by the CLC
Aviva Equity Release’s approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders associated to the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
Please help. My lawyer is informing me me that she is duty-bound to conduct a Local Authority search stemming from the fact that the firm are on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. Is this really necessary?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. Given that you are taking out a loan with Aviva Equity Release your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Aviva Equity Release’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Aviva Equity Release. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
I require the services of a Aviva Equity Release panel solicitor in Stirling. Can you assist?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Aviva Equity Release panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Aviva Equity Release to find out which solicitors in Aviva Equity Release are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. After all the cost is only one £1 a month
What happens if my lawyer’s firm is expelled from the Aviva Equity Release Conveyancing panel in advance of completion?
The first thing to point out is that, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
We are getting a further advance on our mortgage from Aviva Equity Release as we wish to carry out a loft conversion to our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Aviva Equity Release do not ordinarily appoint firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they did require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Aviva Equity Release panel
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Aviva Equity Release. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Aviva Equity Release you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel.
Planning on purchasing a flat with a mortgage with Aviva Equity Release. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel